Reflections on My Son’s Birthday

Something happens to me each year as he reaches another birthday milestone. I get incredibly nostalgic and I start to reflect on the past . . . on the growth, the progress, the huge challenges and the victories.

If you have read our book, you know he is our miracle baby. He came after such a long wait, and we certainly did not expect to embark on such a roller coaster journey. But hey, life happens and, 11 years later, not only has he impacted us and our perspective on the world, but he has impacted the lives of everyone around him. He draws the nobility and selflessness out in all of us, and there isn’t a day that goes by that we are not grateful for what he has taught us.

He has taught us more about the meaning of life in this last decade than we could ever hope to teach him.

He has been my guide and inspiration to my own personal healing and rediscovery.

He has taught us that you may not always have the power to control a situation, but you always have the power to control your perception of the situation.

He has given us the priceless gift of perspective, and we can never repay him for that.

He has challenged us in ways I thought would undo us, but instead has made us better human beings, and we are eternally indebted to him for that.

So, my darling, today and everyday we wish that the kind heart we see you in now stays firmly in place. Keep it, nurture it, handle it with care.

Don’t ever apologize for who you are, for what you want, for how hard you have worked to get here or where you are going in life.

Be a student. Be a teacher. Learn at every opportunity. Be inquisitive. Ask. And when you know something and know it well – teach others and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it.

You have worked hard to overcome everything you were told you wouldn’t do. The sky is the limit to what you can accomplish. If you set your mind to a task, no matter how hard it is, you will succeed.

So . . .

Your dreams: do them. Your heart: follow it. Your fears: embrace them and allow them to make you stronger.

Seek joy. Every single day find something that makes you happy and do it.

And know that we are all SO proud of you. Thank you my love for teaching us about life.

Happy birthday precious boy! What a beautiful reflection – and every word hits home with me. Thank you for all that inspiration! Those wishes you have for your son, are the very ones I have for mine. Thank you for sharing!